Eleanore HIlda Waltz was born on May 20, 1925, the daughter of Mamertus (Mert) Waltz and Catherine Meier.

Eleanore had two sisters and one brother:

Adelaide                               Earl                                   Eleanore                Maureen

The family then moved to a farmhouse off McKnight Road--McKnight Village area. They then moved to the farm on Mt. Troy Road (3103 Mt. Troy Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212).  Since Mert was a carpenter, the inside of this farm home had beautiful woodworking, but Mert became ill before he could really work on the outside of the home.  (Many years later after Catherine moved out, this family home was eventually torn down --because it was sitting empty, it was repeatedly vandalized by local juvenile delinquents, and became a safety hazard. The property was eventually bought by a neighborhood man,  who built his own home there.)

Family Home                                            Chicken Coop

Down on the farm

The family lived off the land during the depression.  In addition to growing their own food, they raised chickens and sold eggs and vegetables for income.  All members of the family had to pitch-in and help with the work.

The kids attended St. Aloysius Grade School on Mt. Troy Road (they walked to school, of course) and Millvale High School.

The Waltz Family in the 40s

The Waltz Sisters 1944

Joseph & Eleanore at the Wedding Breakfast at Tomlinson Hall

By the time they returned to Pittsburgh, they were expecting their first child--Joe always like to tell everyone the Kathy was "Made in Mexico."

They first lived with Joe's brother Paul and his wife Ann in the small house which was located behind the main house. This was the "summer kitchen" that was previously remodeled into living quarters for August & Hildegard to use when they were in town from the farm in Ohio.  Joe & Eleanore stayed there for a short period of time, while they remodeled the 2nd floor of the Gartner family home into a small apartment.  

Joseph & Eleanore have three daughters:

The small apartment became difficult after Kathy & Linda were born.  Joe & Eleanore had 2 cribs in their bedroom and no room to move about.  They bought property from Joe's parents, and built their own family home on lots 13 & 14 of the August Gartner plan of lots--directly next to Joseph & Marcy's home.  This was a long process, as they did the work themselves and had to work on it in Joe's "spare" time, when he wasn't working at his regular job.

Kathy & Linda 1956

1957                                                       1959

Beck, Linda & Kathy 1961                                                                                  1964

Christmas 1963                                                                                 Eleanore & girls 1965

Kathy, Becky, Linda & "Boots" - 1966

Family Picture taken February 1993

Family Picture taken November 1997

Joseph and Eleanore celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends on February 15, 2003 at Mt. Troy Ballroom. Here are some family pictures taken  right before the celebration celebration:

They renewed their vows at St. Aloysius Church:

Followed by a wonderful party at the ballroom:

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